ChristianASP.NET

I spent the last few days at my first DevLink conference.  I regret not attending these all along.  Incredible value for the money. Most of the sessions I attended were very good, and a few were downright awesome.  I got to know a few people, meet a few "rock stars" in person, reconnect with several people that I've worked with in the past, and participate in some great conversations.  I learned about some "shiny new toys," and received some practical insight into the tools and processes I already use.

More importantly, I came away challenged by several things that struck a chord with me, culminating with the final panel discussion on "Has Software Development Become Too Complex?"  This discussion was recorded by .NET Rocks! and I look forward to listening to it again once it's published. I recommend you listen to it as well.

I was challenged to think more about the importance of the local developer community.  In the last few months I've attended a few "User Group" meetings in my area.  The speakers were hit-or-miss.  Honestly, I've been thinking the long drive wasn't worth it.  However, I was asking the wrong question.  The question isn't "what can I get out of this?" but "what can I do to make this better?"  Get more involved in your local community.  Connect with other developers.  Learn from the challenges they face and how they are solving them.  Figure out how you can contribute.  It's a win-win situation.  If there's not a user group in your area, then form one.  There are organizations that can help you.

I was also challenged to think more about the need for mentoring.  Jim Holmes had some things to say about this during the panel discussion, so I searched his blog and discovered The Importance of a Mentor.  Jim's article focuses on the benefits of having good mentors, but it is also crucial to our craft that we make the transition and become mentors ourselves.  Becoming a mentor doesn't mean you start teaching and stop learning. I submit mentors learn just as much through the process of listening and expressing ideas.  Mentors also benefit from viewing problems and solutions in new ways through the eyes of the one being mentored.  Another win-win situation.

The barriers to entry to becoming a software developer are increasingly high.  There are so many options available and choices to be made -- tools, platforms, architectures, and methodologies to name a few.  What would you say if someone were to ask you today, "How do I become a programmer?"  Moreover, how could you help lead them from simply having knowledge of tools and languages to becoming a true software craftsman?